Italy begins trial in absentia of Egyptian cleric

Egyptian cleric Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr (AKA Abu Omar) has gone on trial in absentia in Italy on charges of criminal association with the goal of terrorism and aiding illegal emigration with the goal of terrorism, based on an investigation from 2002. Before the investigation could be concluded and charges filed, Nasr was kidnapped from a Milan street on Feb. 17, 2003, through the US Central Intelligence Agency's "extraordinary rendition" program. Prosecutors requested a prison sentence of six years and eight months for Nasr's alleged role in organizing false documents in order to recruit people for a terror camp. A verdict is expected within the next month.

The revelation of the rendition of Nasr and others has resulted in strong criticism. In October the European Parliament officially chastised EU member states' complicity with the CIA's rendition program, stating that the program has led to violations of fundamental rights and must end immediately.

Egyptian cleric Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, who was kidnapped in Milan as part of the CIA extraordinary rendition program, was sentenced to six years in prison on Dec. 6 by an Italian court after being convicted in absentia of terror charges. Nasr, who had been under investigation in Italy for terrorist activity, was abducted from Milan in 2003 and sent to Egypt. The proceedings against Nasr were interrupted by his abduction, and were resumed in May after he resurfaced in Egypt, where he remains today. Today's conviction found him guilty of criminal association with the goal of terrorism, aiding illegal emigration with the goal of terrorism, and organizing false documents to bring recruited individuals to Islamic terror camps. As Nasr is not permitted to travel outside Egypt, it is unlikely he will ever travel to Italy to serve his six-year sentence.